Who is a half loaf useful for?

Smaller households

If you can’t finish a whole loaf in time, a half loaf may be a better fit for your weekly shop. Check the weight and storage advice, though: even a half loaf should suit how much you actually eat.

Shoppers looking for wholemeal bread

If you’re looking for a half loaf that’s also wholemeal, check that ‘wholemeal’ is stated explicitly in the product description. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholegrain products contain more fibre and other nutrients than products made with refined flour; ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t mean that a loaf is wholemeal.

Shoppers who need to check the label carefully

If you have a food allergy or want to know what type of salt is used, the information for the loaf you choose is what matters. Check the current ingredients and allergen information; according to the Voedingscentrum, bakers don’t always use baker’s salt.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by thinking about how much bread you get through in a week. Then compare only the features that affect your choice, such as whether it’s labelled wholemeal or what ingredients it contains.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
A suitable amount Compare the weight with how much bread you get through, and read the storage advice. In a small household, I don’t want to buy more bread than we can eat or store during the weekly shop. For around 40% of consumers, getting the right amount is the deciding factor.
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare fibre content on the same basis, such as per 100 g. If I specifically want wholemeal bread, the name ‘multigrain’ alone isn’t enough to help me choose. Around 40% of consumers prioritise the wholemeal label.
Ingredients and salt Read the current ingredients and allergen information; check whether baker’s salt is listed if that’s relevant to you. If I need to avoid an ingredient or want to know what type of salt has been used, I check the label on that exact loaf. Checking the ingredients is the most important factor for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’

    The name ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal. If that’s what you’re looking for, choosing by name alone could lead you to the wrong variety.

    Check the full product description, then read the ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging.

  • Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt

    According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. The centre also says that organic bread usually doesn’t contain baker’s salt.

    For packaged bread, check the ingredients list to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed. Don’t assume it’s used based on the shop or type of bread.

  • Assuming all half loaves are the same size

    The term ‘half loaf’ doesn’t tell you exactly how many grams you’re buying. For example, PLUS lists its half Korenlanders multiseed loaf as 400 g. It’s also a multiseed loaf, so it isn’t automatically the same type of product as the multigrain loaf you’re considering.

    Compare the weight and exact product description before deciding which loaf suits how much you get through in a week.

  • Relying only on an online product page

    A variety shown online may not be available in every store or at all times. Ingredients and nutritional information can also change.

    When you buy, check the packaging for the current variety and make sure it’s available at your chosen shop or in your delivery area.

Brands and shops to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists options including an organic Zaans multigrain loaf and a half-sized multigrain farmhouse loaf.

  • You can compare different styles of bread, including an organic half-loaf option.
  • Check the current packaging for the ingredients and nutritional information of the variety you buy.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists half multigrain loaves, including one explicitly called ‘Wholemeal Multigrain Bread – Half’.

  • The product description helps you distinguish between a multigrain variety and one explicitly labelled wholemeal.
  • Check which variety is available in your shop or delivery area.

Lidl

Lidl lists a ‘Half Dark Multigrain Loaf’ among its smaller loaves.

  • An option to look for if you’re after a dark multigrain half loaf in store.
  • Availability may depend on stock; check the current ingredients information in store too.

ALDI

ALDI lists a sliced farmhouse wholemeal multigrain loaf.

  • The product name mentions both wholemeal and multigrain.
  • Check the size separately if you specifically want a half loaf.

PLUS

PLUS lists, among other things, a 400 g half Korenlanders multiseed loaf.

  • The stated weight makes it easier to see whether the amount suits how much bread you get through in a week.
  • Multiseed bread isn’t automatically the same as multigrain bread. Check the product description if you specifically want multigrain or wholemeal bread.

Dirk

Dirk lists a half-sized Bakker van der Akker Bakers multigrain loaf.

  • A recognisable half multigrain loaf to assess by size and ingredients.
  • Check whether the variety you choose is wholemeal and what ingredients are listed on the current packaging.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No, the term ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean that a loaf is wholemeal. Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product description and check the nutritional information if you want to compare the fibre content of different varieties.

Does every loaf in the Netherlands contain baker’s salt?

No, according to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. For packaged bread, check the ingredients list for the variety you’ve chosen if you want to know whether baker’s salt or iodised salt has been used.

What should I look for in an organic half loaf?

As well as checking the size, look at the ingredients list if the type of salt used matters to your decision. According to the Voedingscentrum, organic bread usually doesn’t contain baker’s salt; the information on the current packaging will confirm what’s in the product you buy.

How should I store a half loaf for the rest of the week?

Follow the storage advice on the packaging of the loaf you buy. If you don’t expect to finish it soon, check whether you can freeze a sliced variety; Albert Heijn lists freezing as an option for one of its half multigrain loaves.

What should I check if I have a food allergy?

Check the current allergen information for the exact loaf you want to buy, even if you’ve eaten a similar variety before. According to the Voedingscentrum, allergen information is very important if you have a food allergy.